Cyber Security Technologist - Defend and Respond

You’ll work within our Information Management team, alongside expert colleagues from our Infrastructure, Digital and Data disciplines – united by the common goals of keeping our systems online and our information safe.

• You’ll identify cyber vulnerabilities in our systems to ensure security is maintained.
• You’ll manage cyber security operations processes in accordance with organisational policies, standards and business requirements.
• You’ll work closely with colleagues at various levels across Ofqual, and wider government.
• You’ll keep up to date with industry trends and developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for your own professional development, Assessed against the essential criteria on the JD and person specification using:
• Work history
• Personal statement (1,250 words max)

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be undertaken using the work history and personal statement against the lead essential criterion, which is experience leading pieces of cyber security work and delivering results to deadlines

Selection process

Stage 2 – Technical assessment

If you pass the sift process, you will be invited to book a final panel interview slot and to take part in a technical skills assessment:

This is a 10-minute online Q&A based assessment of specialist technical skills related to the role.

Please note, if you do not pass this assessment, we will no longer be able to progress your application to the final panel interview stage.

Interview dates 19, 22 and 29 June 2026 – (subject to change).

We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or at a lower grade than they applied for, we may extend an offer without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has comparable behaviours and essential criteria.

Ofqual works flexibly, with a hybrid office/home based working model. Employees will spend a minimum of two days per week working from our office in Coventry. As Coventry will be your base location expenses for travel to the office will not be paid.

Final panel interviews will be held in person. Further details will be provided at invite to interview stage.

One of our resourcing colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.

Please be aware that expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed.

A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months. Ofqual may use this to fill future suitably similar vacancies for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you require assistance or need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should tell us what changes or help you might need further in the recruitment process.

For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. You should contact us at recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk to discuss your needs. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment., * UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Do you have experience in Presentation skills?, We’re looking for someone with the confidence to find creative solutions to challenging questions and good critical thinking skills.

You’ll need an awareness of common cyber-attack techniques, including the role of human behaviour.

You’ll need to able to build effective working relationships with people both within Ofqual and across wider government, to keep our systems safe and secure., Have an IT, or security qualification, or practical experience or be able to demonstrate equivalent practical experience., * Changing and Improving

• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Demonstrable experience analysing cyber threats, including social engineering and technical attack vectors.
• Experience leading pieces of cyber security work and delivering results to deadlines., This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking
• Company pension
• Season ticket loan
• Free flu jabs, Alongside your salary of £34,211, Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) contributes £9,910 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As a Civil Servant, you will benefit from a leading, modern employment offer which includes flexible working arrangements that support people at different stages in their lives, and pensions among the best available in the UK, as well as generous annual leave entitlements.

Other benefits you can enjoy include:

• Organisational performance related bonus
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Regular professional development
• Health and wellbeing initiatives such as mini-medicals, flu vaccinations
• Employee assistance programme and occupational health
• Free eye tests and contribution towards lenses/spectacles for VDU users, if appropriate
• Family friendly policies
• Interest free rail season ticket loan
• Access to exclusive discounts
• Free car parking

We are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing throughout the organisation. We are proud of the action we are taking to support this. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to support our ethos of creating a diverse culture that is reflective of both our employees and the learners we support.

Due to our continued commitment and focus in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, our inclusion and fair treatment score based on the Civil Service 2024 annual people survey ranks us joint 5th out of 104 participating departments.

Ofqual is a rewarding, dynamic place to work. We offer employees the opportunity to develop within their role and progress through the organisation via a number of Learning and Development opportunities and activities.

Ofqual has a highly engaged workforce. Our 2024 Civil Service People Survey score on engagement was 71%, against 64% for the whole Civil Service, and was the joint 12th highest of the 104 participating CS departments.